‘So, afterwards he approached the maid, Annette.’

‘Did he? How interesting. And what did he want?’

‘He offered her money to spy on you and Miss Hélène… particularly on you, and to tell him anything she learned about you.’

‘Well now… and what did she say?’

‘She took his money. She was quick-thinking enough to realise that if she didn’t, someone else would and we’d have no idea what he was up to. Better to be the spy than for there to be another who we know nothing about, don’t you think?’

‘We?’

‘Annette and me. We both want to protect Miss Hélène from that man, so it is better to know the information he’s being given.’

‘I see. And do you know why he wants this information?’

‘Simply to discredit you. The talk below stairs is that he wants you out of the way and Miss Hélène for himself.’

‘And is the below-stairs gossip reliable?’ asked Rupert, though he knew for sure it would be at Pilgrim’s Oak.

‘Oh, yes, sir,’ said Pierre, ‘and we are all fond of Miss Hélène.’

‘And what about me?’ asked Rupert with a grin. ‘Do you think she needs protecting from me?’

‘That remains to be seen, sir,’ replied Pierre.

That made Rupert laugh out loud. ‘You believe in plain speaking, Pierre!’

‘Yes, m’sieur, as you do yourself.’

‘Perhaps we should assume the worst about Monsieur Barnier,’ said Rupert ruminatively. ‘Is the maid, Annette, going to speak to Miss Hélène about what she’s been asked to do?’

‘Yes indeed, m’sieur, when she gets the chance to speak with her alone. She must be warned.’

‘Will she also warn Madame St Clair?’

‘No, sir. There would then be the risk of Monsieur Barnier learning that his spy was no friend of his.’

‘But why?’ demanded Rupert. ‘Why are Miss Hélène and the maid so close? Because I know they are.’

Pierre was silent for a moment as he considered his reply. ‘That’s not for me to say, m’sieur,’ he said at length. ‘Maybe Miss Hélène will confide in you when she is ready to.’

When they reached the inn, Rupert descended from the chaise and turned back to Pierre. ‘I’m glad we have had this little talk on our way home. You are completely right that Miss Hélène must be protected from this man. I shall be there to protect her, but if you or Annette hear anything that I need to know, you must come to me at once. And if for any reason you cannot then you should go to Madame St Clair.’

Chapter 26

The telegram arrived the next day. Rupert had already set out for Belair in his hired chaise with a picnic basket packed by the inn, in the hope of tempting Hélène out for a drive. He wanted to talk to her alone about what Annette had been asked to do. Of course Annette would be with them, but it was clear to Rupert that she was special for some reason and he decided it was time he got to know her better.